Moody's decision was injury-enforced after the 33-year-old failed to recover from a shoulder problem. Farrell, who played alongside Mad Dog in the 2007 World Cup, praised the Ascot-born man for his fearless attitude during his 74-cap career which spanned 16 years.

"He was an absolutely fearless player - one of the best that we've produced," said Farrell. "He will remembered as mad. A fighter who has total disrespect for his own body, who only knows one way.

"There's a few mad ones in league, but not quite as mad as Moodos. I honestly don't think I've played with another player who is that committed and cared so much for his team-mates as well.

"I could speak about Moodos all day. Everyone knows the commitment he had to playing the game, and not just the commitment but the enjoyment he had from the way he played the game. He was a special type of player.

"Before I'd played with him I knew what type of player he was but not until you've trained with him on the field and played with him could you really stand back and marvel at what he is about as a person. He was unfortunate to get a lot of injuries in his time but he definitely wouldn't change that because it made him what he was.

"Having played with him, knowing how he played on through injury, showed just what a tough bloke he was. I don't think we actually knew the half of what he was going through at times."

Moody lifted every major domestic, European and international trophy available during his career, which included 14 seasons with Leicester before he moved to Bath. At international level, Moody made his Test debut against Canada in 2001 before playing a part in all seven of England's wins on their way to victory at the 2003 Rugby World Cup.